Legendary Russian firearms designer Mikhail Kalashnikov, best known for his AK-47 assault rifle, was born on November 10, 1919.

Legendary Russian firearms designer, Hero of Socialist Labor and Lieutenant General Mikhail Kalashnikov unveiling the first AK-47 assault rifle during celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of developing this weapon.

Legendary Russian firearms designer, Hero of Socialist Labor and Lieutenant General Mikhail Kalashnikov unveiling the first AK-47 assault rifle during celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of developing this weapon.

Foreground: Vladimir Putin (left) and firearms designer Mikhail Kalashnikov (right) visiting the Kalashnikov Weapons Museum and Exhibition Center in Izhevsk.

Firearms designer Mikhail Kalashnikov at the National Peter the Great Prize award ceremony.

Firearms designer Mikhail Kalashnikov during celebrations of the 190th anniversary of national weapons manufacturer Izhevsk Mechanical Works and the 50th anniversary of the Kalashnikov assault rifle.

6/10
© RIA Novosti . Vladimir Viatkin
Kalashnikov AK-47, AKM, AKS-74U, AK-74MN assault rifles, left row, and AK-10, AK-102, AK-104 and AK-103 assault rifles, right row, on display at the Moscow International Arms Exhibition in Sokolniki.

7/10
© RIA Novosti . Vladimir Vyatkin
A Kalashnikov AKS-74U assault rifle on display at the Moscow International Arms Exhibition in Sokolniki.

Winner of the Lenin and State prizes, Twice-Awarded Hero of Socialist Labor and firearms designer Mikhail Kalashnikov hunting in a forest.

Senior Sergeant Mikhail Kalashnikov working on the AK-47 assault rifle’s design.

1959. Mikhail Kalashnikov with his wife and children.
